So, I had some problems with burr
comb. I asked for advice here and ended up putting my 2nd deep on the bottom. I did not checkerboard it as I was unable to remove any framed from the 1st deep without hurting the bees.
Before I had installed the 2nd deep the bees were bearding at night in a pretty good clump. I installed the new deep and they stopped bearding.
Last weekend I checked on them and they had not filled out a single frame on the 2nd deep. I had installed a super on top of the 2 deeps and they had filled out about 5 frames and had 2 filled and capped.
I figured it was getting late in the year for this nonsense, so I checkered the 2nd deep and basically split the one full deep that I had between the two. I also replaced the untouched frames, which were EZ frames, with traditional wax frames that were new.
I put it all together again and said a short prayer for the bees and left.
I did the same to the other hive as they were in the same state of affairs.
I noted that ever since they've been bearding at night. Quite a bit. It's in sharp contrast as last week there was no bearding and now there's a lot.
My questions are-
What gives with the bearding?
Why won't they fill the deep on the bottom?
What can I do to make them better…stronger…faster?
Thanks,
-Brian